JAPAN: Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda attends naval review amid tension with China.

Record ID: 466640

  • Title: JAPAN: Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda attends naval review amid tension with China.
  • Date: 14th October 2012
  • Summary: AT SEA NEAR KANAGAWA PREFECTURE, JAPAN (OCTOBER 14, 2012) (REUTERS) CANNON ON WARSHIP MOVING CANNON FIRING HELICOPTER FLYING WARSHIPS FIRING ARTILLERY HELICOPTER HOVERING OVER DECK OF NAVAL VESSEL
  • Embargoed: 29th October 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Japan
  • Country: Japan
  • Topics: Conflict,Defence / Military
  • Reuters ID: LVA6F48RB0MX27J3WFD3OLNA40HL
  • Story Text: Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda told his navy on Sunday (October 14) that Japan's security environment was tougher than ever, underscoring tension with China over a territorial dispute and the threat of North Korea's weapons programmes.
    Sino-Japanese relations deteriorated sharply after Japan in September bought from private owners some of the East China Sea islets that both Tokyo and Beijing claim. That sparked violent anti-Japanese protests across China and badly hurt trade.
    "In this unprecedented situation, we may encounter incidents that we've never experienced and feel unimagined pressure," Noda said on board a navy ship.
    "When you face such troubles, I hope you think levelheaded about what benefits your own country the most and behave audaciously with a strong belief in your capability that you've built up through preparations."
    Noda, supreme commander of Japan's military known as the Self-Defence Forces (SDF), was speaking during a fleet review off Kanagawa prefecture, south of Tokyo.
    His remarks were relayed to ships gathered in the area -- about 40 vessels, including the U.S. cruiser Shiloh, were present for the review. About 47,000 U.S. troops are based in Japan.
    Noda braved occasional bouts of drizzle to review destroyers, submarines, minesweepers and fuel supply vessels that passed in front of him while SDF helicopters and P-3C anti-submarine patrol planes flew overhead.
    The disputed group of islands, called Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, are located near rich fishing grounds and potentially huge oil and gas reserves.
    Patrol vessels from Japan and China have been keeping a wary watch on each other in the East China Sea near the islets, raising concerns that an unintended collision or other incident could develop into a broader clash.
    Thousands of civilians were invited onto the decks of naval ships to watch the live fire show.
    Among the spectators were a number of foreign military officials, including those in Chinese army uniforms, to watch Japan's military review that only happens once in three years.
    A veteran said the naval review was reassuring to the people of Japan.
    "I cannot deny that this review looks like a festivity for the force in a time when the coast guard is so much struggling to defend the Senkaku Islands. But at the same time, I think this event is worthwhile in that the military is doing something to assure the people of Japan without idling all the time in this significant situation," said Yoshihiro Takahashi.
    Housewife Enoki Arau agreed.
    "I was assured by today's review that the chain of command in the military is actually working. I also believe the military should be actively used to protect our country."
    Last month, China's Navy conducted a live ammunition drill in the East China Sea employing the main forces of the East China Sea Fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, including dozens of warships and submarines.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register